Atletico Paranaense's triumph in the Copa Sudamericana over Junior of Colombia gives the Brazilian side their first ever South American trophy.

Typically, when finals go to a penalty shoot-out, there is a feeling that either side could come out on top. But that hardly applied to the 2018 Copa Sudamericana.

Atletico Paranaense of Brazil had been forced to substitute their entire attacking line in the course of an epic 120 minutes against Atletico Junior of Colombia. Even so, there seemed little chance of the Colombians prevailing from the spot. Just over a year ago they blew the chance of reaching the 2017 Copa Sudamericana final by missing...

The win over the Colombian visitors in South America's second-most important club competition gives the Brazilian side their first ever continental triumph.

After a 1-1 stalemate at the conclusion of 90 minutes at Arena da Baixada, Junior had an opportunity to take the lead in the 111th minute, but Jarlan Barrera botched a penalty and sailed it into the stands.

In last week's semifinal of the Copa Sudamericana, Atletico Junior of Colombia wasted a penalty in front of their own fans in Barranquilla. James Sanchez had a weak shot saved. But it hardly mattered. Against fellow Colombians Santa Fe, Junior were a goal up on the night and 3-0 ahead on aggregate, and that is the way that it stayed.

This week's penalty miss may prove more costly. Sanchez had already been substituted when Junior were awarded a spot kick against Brazil's Atletico Paranaense....

Amid all the fuss about the River Plate-Boca Juniors game being transferred to Madrid, it is easy to forget that a continental final will take place on South American soil this week and next. The Copa Sudamericana, the Europa League equivalent, comes to a climax with a two-legged decider between Junior of Colombia and Atletico Paranaense of Brazil -- and the home-and-away format means that the matches are taking place at opposite ends of the continent.

The dramatic Copa Libertadores semifinal between reigning champions Gremio of Brazil and Argentine giants River Plate went to a third leg.

After the first two, in conventional home and away format, River Plate had scraped into the final. Aggregate scores were level at 2-2. But River's late penalty gave them the extra away goal, and a place in the final against historic rivals Boca Juniors. Until, that is, Gremio lodged a complaint.

During the first leg, River coach Marcelo Gallardo was found guilty...